St Joseph's Society
Raymond Walker was born on 20th October 1914 in St Helens, Lancashire, the son of John and Theresa. His younger brother was Fr Basil Walker, also a priest of the Archdiocese. He was educated at Windleshaw School, St Helens, and his ecclesiastical studies were undertaken at St Joseph’s College, Upholland, where he was ordained to the priesthood on 19th September 1942.
In September 1942 he was appointed assistant priest of St Anthony’s. Scotland Road, and later that year was appointed as Chaplain to the Forces, spending 12 months in Germany. In August 1947 he was appointed to Our Lady of Lourdes, Southport. He remained there until 1953 when he moved to SS Peter & Paul, Crosby. In 1958 he was appointed to St Margaret Mary, Knotty Ash, and in 1959 moved to St Mary, Chorley. In 1963 he became Chaplain to Rainhill Hospital. In October 1978 he was appointed Parish Priest of St Paul, Burtonwood, where he remained until his retirement in November 1987. He died on the morning of Sunday 22nd February 2011. May he rest in peace.